# Yinghuo-1

> first attempted Chinese mission to Mars

**Wikidata**: [Q177852](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q177852)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yinghuo-1)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/yinghuo-1

## Summary
Yinghuo-1 was the first attempted Chinese mission to Mars. It was an uncrewed space probe operated by the China National Space Administration. Launched on November 8, 2011, the spacecraft was designed to study Mars but ultimately underwent atmospheric entry and orbit decay on January 15, 2012.

## Key Facts
*   **Identity:** Yinghuo-1 (native label: 萤火一号) was a space probe and the first attempted Chinese mission to Mars.
*   **Operator:** The mission was operated by the China National Space Administration.
*   **Launch Date:** The probe launched on November 8, 2011, at 20:16:03.
*   **Launch Site:** It launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome (Site 45).
*   **Launch Vehicle:** The probe was launched aboard a Zenit-2M rocket.
*   **Mission End:** The spacecraft experienced atmospheric entry and orbit decay on January 15, 2012.
*   **Physical Specifications:** The probe had a takeoff mass of 115 kilograms, a length of 750 mm, a width of 750 mm, and a height of 600 mm.
*   **Technical Specs:** It had a nominal power output of 90 watts and a planned orbital inclination of 5 degrees.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the Yinghuo-1 mission?
A: Yinghuo-1 was an uncrewed space probe intended to be China's first mission to Mars. It was an orbiter designed to study the Martian environment as part of a joint mission.

### Q: When was Yinghuo-1 launched and how long did it last?
A: Yinghuo-1 launched on November 8, 2011. The mission concluded shortly after launch, with the spacecraft undergoing atmospheric entry and orbit decay on January 15, 2012.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Yinghuo-1?
A: The probe was launched using a Zenit-2M rocket, which is a Ukrainian rocket used for launching satellites, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

## Why It Matters
Yinghuo-1 holds a significant place in aerospace history as China's inaugural attempt to reach Mars. As an uncrewed space probe, it represented a major technological milestone for the China National Space Administration, marking the transition from lunar exploration to interplanetary deep-space missions. Although the mission ultimately ended in atmospheric entry and decay shortly after launch in January 2012, the project provided critical experience and data for future Chinese space endeavors.

The development of the probe involved specific engineering constraints, such as a compact design (750mm x 750mm x 600mm) and a takeoff mass of 115 kilograms. It required a nominal power output of 90 watts to operate its systems. The mission utilized a Zenit-2M launch vehicle, highlighting international cooperation efforts in space exploration during that period. Despite its premature end, Yinghuo-1 set the stage for the architecture and operational planning of subsequent Mars missions.

## Notable For
*   **First Mars Attempt:** It is officially classified as the first attempted Chinese mission to Mars.
*   **Classification:** It is recognized as a space probe and uncrewed spaceflight, designed to explore outer space beyond Earth's orbit.
*   **Compact Design:** The spacecraft featured a distinct cubic geometry with dimensions of 750 mm by 750 mm by 600 mm.
*   **Joint Launch:** It was launched aboard a Zenit-2M rocket alongside the Russian Phobos-Grunt spacecraft (as indicated by image context and launch vehicle data).

## Body

### Mission Profile and Launch
Yinghuo-1 was developed as a space probe intended for Mars exploration. The mission was a joint effort, launching from the Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 45. The launch took place on November 8, 2011, at 20:16:03, utilizing a Zenit-2M rocket as the launch vehicle. The planned trajectory involved an orbital inclination of 5 degrees.

### Technical Specifications
The spacecraft was designed with strict mass and size limitations suitable for a secondary payload.
*   **Mass:** The takeoff mass was 115 kilograms.
*   **Dimensions:** The physical structure measured 750 mm in length, 750 mm in width, and 600 mm in height.
*   **Power:** The probe operated with a nominal power output of 90 watts.

### Mission Outcome
Following the launch in November 2011, the mission encountered critical failures. The significant event of "atmospheric entry" occurred on January 15, 2012, marking the end of the mission. This event coincided with the time of object orbit decay. The probe, identified in databases by the NSSDCA ID "YINGHUO-1," was declared lost after failing to achieve its intended Mars orbit.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013